Air Peace has dismissed reports that it sold tickets or stranded passengers in connection with the proposed Lagos–São Paulo direct flight, describing the claims as false, misleading, and deliberately sensational.
In a statement issued Friday by spokesperson Efe Whiskey, the airline denied allegations that it colluded with the Federal Government to deceive the public about the commencement of the route.
“No tickets were ever sold, no booking platform was opened, and no flight date was announced for the Lagos–São Paulo service. It is therefore impossible for passengers to have been stranded,” the airline said.
Air Peace clarified that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between Nigeria and Brazil was not a flight launch but a framework to deepen bilateral aviation cooperation.
“An MoU is a statement of intent. It is not a ticket sale, a flight schedule, or a guarantee of immediate commencement of operations,” the statement explained.
The airline stressed that international long-haul routes require extensive regulatory and operational approvals before operations can begin. These include:
- Implementation of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) frameworks
- Authorisation from Brazil’s civil aviation authority
- Airport slot allocations in São Paulo
- Safety and insurance certifications
- Aircraft deployment and route-viability assessments
Fleet Capacity and Timeline
On fleet availability, Air Peace declared it has the capacity to operate the route. The airline currently operates four Boeing 777-200/300 aircraft, with two deployed on its London Heathrow and Gatwick routes.
The remaining two are available for other long-haul destinations, including São Paulo, once regulatory and commercial processes are completed.
The airline emphasized that it has not made any binding commitment to a specific start date for the Lagos–São Paulo service.
It noted that international route development often takes several years, citing its London service, which took about seven years from conception to launch.
Air Peace also rejected suggestions that the MoU would automatically lead to reduced international airfares. The airline explained that it does not control global airline pricing or foreign carriers.
“The allegations are an attempt to undermine the airline and discredit the Federal Government,” the statement added.
Preparations for the Lagos–São Paulo route began in 2024, with Air Peace engaging Nigerian aviation authorities, the Brazilian government, and other stakeholders to bring the service to reality.
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